Yes-Man: Difference between revisions

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A great assistant provides their boss with the things they need to do their job. This can mean an organized schedule, up-to-date research, fielding calls, or taking on the small tasks.

For some assistants, however, it means kowtowing, flattering, and generally blowing smoke up the posterior areas of their superiors. This is the domain of the [[Yes-Man]].

For some assistants, however, it means kowtowing, flattering, and generally blowing smoke up the posterior areas of their superiors. This is the domain of the '''Yes-Man'''.

For them, their boss is the be-all and end-all of their world. If the boss says "Jump!", the good Yes Man says "How high?" The ''great'' [[Yes-Man]] already knows, and follows up by apologizing that his leap was not worthy. The boss may not need or desire this, of course... but if they're a [[Control Freak]], a [[The Neidermeyer|Neidermeyer]], or a [[Pointy-Haired Boss]], you can be sure they'll have or want a Yes-Man. Sometimes, they'll have a team of them, led by the Alpha Yes-Man.

For them, their boss is the be-all and end-all of their world. If the boss says "Jump!", the good Yes Man says "How high?" The ''great'' '''Yes-Man''' already knows, and follows up by apologizing that his leap was not worthy. The boss may not need or desire this, of course... but if they're a [[Control Freak]], a [[The Neidermeyer|Neidermeyer]], or a [[Pointy-Haired Boss]], you can be sure they'll have or want a Yes-Man. Sometimes, they'll have a team of them, led by the Alpha Yes-Man.

The reasons for this blind loyalty can be anything from unshakable love, to spineless fear, to a desire to borrow the power and status of the boss by association. The last type is often the one most likely to act like a mini-tyrant to others when the boss isn't around.

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The Yes-Man is often not very good at his job, though this is not always the case. Sometimes, most notably when the boss's actual ability is lacking, they can be frighteningly efficient. Go far enough to the extreme in this, and you get the [[Battle Butler]].

[[The Dragon]] is sometimes the [[Yes-Man]], though just as often goes to the opposite extreme. The [[Professional Butt-Kisser]] is almost indistinguishable from the [[Yes-Man]], except their devotion is to the ''position'' rather than the boss, so they'll treat anyone who gets, steals, or kills for the job the same as their old boss.

[[The Dragon]] is sometimes the '''Yes-Man''', though just as often goes to the opposite extreme. The [[Professional Butt-Kisser]] is almost indistinguishable from the '''Yes-Man''', except their devotion is to the ''position'' rather than the boss, so they'll treat anyone who gets, steals, or kills for the job the same as their old boss.

Of course, even exceptionally devoted ~~[[Yes-Man|~~Yes-Men]] can be pushed too far, especially by an over-demanding or bullying boss... and if they are, then the boss had better be careful; [[The Dog Bites Back]].

Of course, even exceptionally devoted '''Yes-Men''' can be pushed too far, especially by an over-demanding or bullying boss... and if they are, then the boss had better be careful; [[The Dog Bites Back]].

Not to be confused with the guerilla activist/comedy hoaxters, [[The Yes Men]].

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* Finch on ''[[Just Shoot Me]]''.

* Dwight on the American version of ''[[The Office]]''. (Gareth from the UK Version)

** In later seasons, the Scranton, PA and Stamford, CT branches merge. Andy, the [[Yes-Man]] for the other branch, comes along and forms a rivalry with Dwight.

** In later seasons, the Scranton, PA and Stamford, CT branches merge. Andy, the Yes-Man for the other branch, comes along and forms a rivalry with Dwight.

* On ''No, Honestly'' one character was promoted at work to be a "Nod" man: after all the "yes" men said Yes, it was his job to nod. He would need another promotion to become a full on "yes" man.

* Al Borland of ''[[Home Improvement]]'' acts like this around superiors. In one episode, he spoke to the president of their company more like one would the President of the United States, prompting Tim Allen's character to ask "Why don't you just glue your lips to his butt?" Later in that same episode, Tim brought Al along to discuss an agreement they both had with that very president on the logic that "if a suck up like you complains he ''has'' to take it seriously."

* Goldar to Lord Zedd in the second season of ''Mighty Morphin Power Rangers''.

* One of [[Stephen Colbert]]'s tactics is to act like a [[Yes-Man]] to highlight the absurdity of his opponent's position, the most common targets being [[George W. Bush]] or [[Bill O Reilly|Bill O'Reilly]]. Of Michael Behe:

* One of [[Stephen Colbert]]'s tactics is to act like a Yes-Man to highlight the absurdity of his opponent's position, the most common targets being [[George W. Bush]] or [[Bill O Reilly|Bill O'Reilly]]. Of Michael Behe:

{{quote|My guest tonight has been called 'the father of Intelligent Design'. I hope he's ready for five minutes of me nodding approvingly.}}

** He wasn't.

* Colonel Klink on ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'' became a [[Yes-Man]] whenever a general, any general, showed up. He practically licked the boots of Field Marshals.

* Colonel Klink on ''[[Hogan's Heroes]]'' became a Yes-Man whenever a general, any general, showed up. He practically licked the boots of Field Marshals.

* Ryuunosuke towards Takeru in ''[[Samurai Sentai Shinkenger]]''. His bootlicking of the team's leader is taken to comic proportions. He's been training for this all his life, and will not let himself look bad at all.

** An evil version in another Sentai series: Barizorg to Oiles Gil in ''[[Kaizoku Sentai Gokaiger]]'', to the point where his [[Catch Phrase]] is [[Gratuitous English|"Yes, boss."]]

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== [[Web Comics]] ==

* Ysengrin from ''[[Gunnerkrigg Court]]'' is perpetually kissing up to Coyote. [[Word of God|Word of Tom]] confirms that this is because he loves Coyote very ~~much--though~~ Ysengrin isn't blind to his boss's shortcomings.

* Ysengrin from ''[[Gunnerkrigg Court]]'' is perpetually kissing up to Coyote. [[Word of God|Word of Tom]] confirms that this is because he loves Coyote very much—though Ysengrin isn't blind to his boss's shortcomings.

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{{[[[Your Head Asplode]] Head explodes}}, sending gadgets and wires everywhere]<br />

'''Parking Director:''' I'll have that fixed for you tomorrow, sir. }}

* Owen, Xanatos's second, on ''[[Gargoyles]]'' is an example of a slightly-more-free-willed [[Yes-Man]], who is also something of a [[Battle Butler]]. However, regardless of his competence, he is actually ''bound by magic'' to serve Xanatos for his lifetime. So while he can raise objections and suggestions, when Xanatos finalizes his decision he must carry it out. This could be troublesome, as Xanatos seeks immortality, {{spoiler|and Owen, as Puck, is already immortal}}.

* Owen, Xanatos's second, on ''[[Gargoyles]]'' is an example of a slightly-more-free-willed Yes-Man, who is also something of a [[Battle Butler]]. However, regardless of his competence, he is actually ''bound by magic'' to serve Xanatos for his lifetime. So while he can raise objections and suggestions, when Xanatos finalizes his decision he must carry it out. This could be troublesome, as Xanatos seeks immortality, {{spoiler|and Owen, as Puck, is already immortal}}.

** Owen's actually something of a subversion. He on Xanatos' side, but he's never afraid to criticize him, and Xanatos deeply respects his opinion. The reason he's bound by magic is that Xanatos chose that binding over Puck's offer of one catch-free wish.

*** In fact, Xanatos said he'd fire Owen if he ever let him win at Judo, rather than going all out. Clearly X doesn't like yes-men.